Special Sections

Alleged Assault Lands Neighbor in Jail

Sam Scoggins On Wednesday, September 12, at approximately 8 a.m., Cpt. Wooldridge and Officer Nurse responded to the area of 9th and Caldwell St. in the City of Lexington regarding a disturbance. Upon arrival, contact was made with the victims identified as Mark Stone and Claude Wheeler Jr. Wheeler and Stone advised officers they were assaulted by their neighbor, Samuel Scoggins.

The victims explained that they were asked by a different neighbor, who was at work at the time, to return Scoggins’ trash can to his property should Scoggins leave it in her yard, as he had been doing. The neighbor was worried that the City may charge her for two trash cans.

According to the police report, the victims explained to the officers that Sam Scoggins approached them and sprayed them in their faces with wasp spray, causing injuries. Both victims sustained chemical burns from the spray, as well as serious irritation to their eyes, lungs and nostrils. They were taken to the emergency room for treatment.

Cpt. Wooldridge took the report and gathered statements from the victims and several neighbors who witnessed the assault.

After all the statements were obtained, arrest warrants were secured from Justice of the Peace Danita Smith for the arrest of Sam Scoggins for Assault Causing Bodily Injury.

Later that evening, during the Lexington’s City Council meeting, Mark Stone and William Young were present and spoke during Citizen Comments.

According to the police report, at approximately 7:15 p.m. that evening, Chief Yarbrough and Cpt. Wooldridge learned that Sam Scoggins and Mary Atkins were at the CEFCO Store in Lexington. The officers responded to the area, to act on the outstanding warrants for Sam Scoggins. Contact was made with Scoggins inside the CEFCO Store, where he was arrested without incident and transported to the Lee County Jail.

While in transit with Sam Scoggins, Chief Yarbrough and Cpt. Wooldridge were notified by dispatch that Mary Atkins had been involved in a vehicle accident involving Mark Stone and William Young. Lee County Sheriff’s Deputies responded and assisted at the scene until Chief Yarbrough and Cpt. Wooldridge arrived.

The police report stated that Chief Yarbrough and Cpt. Wooldridge arrived at 9th St. and Caldwell St. where the accident occurred. It was determined at the scene that after Sam Scoggins was arrested at CEFCO, Mary Atkins, Scoggins’ companion/housemate, returned to the area of 9th and Caldwell St. where she allegedly struck Mark Stone and William Young with her vehicle. EMS was dispatched and both victims were treated at the scene, and released.

There were several witnesses present during the accident and they all provided sworn written statements attesting to the assault. This case is still under investigation at this time.

Scoggins was released the next day on two $15,000 bonds for Assault Causing Bodily Injury.

Last month, Scoggins was arrested for Assault of a Public Servant (3rd Felony) and Resisting Arrest and Detention (M-A).